Imagine a fiery explosion. It was April 16, 1947. What you see here at The Texas City Disaster Plaque marks a tragic event. It was the worst industrial accident in U.S. history.
The Texas City Disaster began with a fire. It was on the French ship SS Grandcamp. The ship was docked in Texas City. The Grandcamp held about 2,300 tons of ammonium nitrate. This chemical was used as fertilizer. It could also be used as an explosive.
Around 8:00 a.m. smoke appeared in the cargo hold. The crew tried to put out the fire. They sealed the hatches. They used steam to smother the flames. But ammonium nitrate is an oxidizer. The steam made things worse.
At 9:12 a.m. the ammonium nitrate exploded. The Texas City Disaster explosion was massive. It leveled nearly 1,000 buildings. A 15-foot tsunami swept the area. The blast was felt 150 miles away.
The Monsanto Chemical Company plant was destroyed. 145 of its 450 workers died. Flying shrapnel ignited refineries. Chemical tanks burst into flames. The Grandcamp’s anchor was hurled across the city. Two planes overhead were blown apart.
Almost all of Texas City’s firefighters died. Twenty-seven of twenty-eight were killed. The Texas City Disaster left the city helpless. Fires raged. Rescue efforts began. Volunteers came from surrounding cities. Temporary hospitals were set up.
Another ship, the SS High Flyer, also carried ammonium nitrate. It caught fire. It exploded sixteen hours later. This second explosion added to the devastation. The Texas City Disaster killed at least 581 people. Thousands were injured. The exact number is unknown. Many dock workers were never identified. Sixty-three bodies were buried unidentified.
The Texas City Disaster led to lawsuits. The United States Supreme Court decided the Republic of France was not liable. New regulations were made for handling chemicals. Congress settled claims for $16.5 million.
The Texas City Disaster changed Texas City forever. The Texas City Disaster Plaque is a memorial. It remembers those who died. It honors the city’s resilience. The anchor of the Grandcamp sits in a memorial park. It serves as a stark reminder. The Texas City Disaster Plaque reminds us of the importance of safety. It honors those lost. It symbolizes the city’s rebirth.